Top tips for bedtime reading routines for 4 to 7 year olds

Bedtime routines are essential for children of all ages, but for 4-7 year olds, a reading bedtime routine can significantly impact their development. Reading to your child every night before bed not only helps to establish a routine and calm them down before sleep, but it also has numerous cognitive, emotional, and social benefits. In this blog, we will explore the importance of a reading bedtime routine for 4-7-year-olds and what the routine could look like.

The Importance of a Reading Bedtime Routine

1. Improved Language Development: Reading regularly with your child helps them to develop language and communication skills. The more words they hear, the more words they will learn, and the more they will be able to use them in their own speech.

2. Enhanced Cognitive Development: Reading before bed can also help children to develop their cognitive abilities. It stimulates their imagination, creativity, and critical thinking skills, as well as improving their memory and concentration.

3. Emotional Connection: Reading together before bed can strengthen the emotional bond between parents and their children. It provides an opportunity for quality time and shared experiences that can promote feelings of love and security.

4. Stress Reduction: Establishing a regular reading bedtime routine can help to reduce stress and anxiety in children. The calming and soothing nature of the activity can promote relaxation and a sense of security.

5. Improved attention span: A regular bedtime routine can help children establish a sense of predictability and structure. This structure can improve their attention span, and allow them to focus better during the day.

6. Promotes a love for reading: Reading with your child will show them that books are to be enjoyed and encourage them to read more. If they see it as something you enjoy doing, they will enjoy it too. This might not happen overnight, especially if you have a reluctant reader. But be patient, and find books they enjoy.

What Should the Reading Bedtime Routine Look Like?

1. Choose the Right Time: Set aside a regular time each night for reading before bed. It should be a time that works well for you and your child and allows enough time to read a story or two. Don't be rushed - kids will sense this and they won't enjoy the moment.

2. Choose the Right Books: Select age-appropriate and engaging books for your child. Let your child help choose the books so they feel more invested in the process. Picture books with colourful illustrations are ideal for this age group.

3. Read aloud together: Reading aloud together is a great way to engage children and encourage their love of reading. It also allows for discussion and questions, which can help improve comprehension and critical thinking skills. Parents can take turns reading, or children can take the lead and read aloud to their parents.

4. Establish a routine: A regular routine is essential for children, and a reading bedtime routine is no exception. Choose a consistent time to read together each night, and make it a priority. Stick to the routine even on weekends and holidays, as this will help children establish good habits and understand the importance of reading.

5. Your child should read to you: As part of your bedtime reading routine, make sure you set aside enough time for your child to read to you. At this age, it should be the book they bring home from school. If they want to read another book after their school one then let them do so. If you struggle to get them to read their school book then you could try shared reading, e.g. you read one line or paragraph, then they read one line or paragraph.

Case study

This was my bedtime routine with my two children when they were this age:

1. They chose a picture book each for us to read to them.

2. They would read their school book to us for 10 minutes each.

3. We would read them a picture book or a short chapter book.

This would take about 45 minutes. Then it was lights out.

Top Tip!

Ask your child questions about the books they are reading, and about the ones you are reading to them to check their understanding. I can't stress enough how important this is for children. How can they find joy in reading if they don't understand what they are reading? I have created affordable guided reading ebooks for popular children's books (such as 'An Unofficial Guide to the book: The 13-Storey Treehouse which is just £6) to help you with this. In these ebooks, I have created comprehension questions to ask your child while they are reading to you, or while you are reading to them. I have also included example answers for you to give as well. Please go to my shop to see my resources.

In my online bookstore, I sell books I have either read myself, or had read to me. And I know children love these books. They come under certain headings such as 'Reluctant Reader favourites' and 'My favourite books to read to your children' and so on. I also have all my favourite picture books on there. If you purchase from my store, then I receive a small amount, and some money also goes towards supporting independent bookshops.

https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/getkidsreading